Brake caliper refil

[Miztaziggy]

Finally found the cause of my front brake squeal...took off the calipers and found the brake pads are very low

Anyway, what's the best way of refilling the fluid once it's drained? I would guess refit the hoses, undo the bleed nipples, pour in fluid until it comes out? Not sure if I need to pump the brake, pour fluid with brake in or out, fill one side first?

[lloydie]

With regards to brakes if you don't know what your doing DONT DO IT get someone that dose ..

When you fit new pads the fluid level will rise in the bottle/glass .

[Miztaziggy]

I have done it before, but it was a couple of years ago, and I have forgotten the best way of doing it to minimise the amount of bleeding required. I seem to remember spending ages pumping the lever and loosening, tightening the bloody bleed nipples. There must be an easier way.

I have emptied the fluid completely, so no worries about level rising. I am changing it because my brakes were going spongey last time at Cadwell.

[8541Hawk]

With regards to brakes if you don't know what your doing DONT DO IT get someone that dose ..

When you fit new pads the fluid level will rise in the bottle/glass .

A big +1....... Get someone to show you so you can do it yourself next time.

[lloydie]

Ok then get yourself a big syringe and back fill them with the top banjo loosened off to let the air out .
Get as much fluid in as you can both sides this will make it a lot easier when bleeding them .
Once you have the lines full with fluid do the pump and release alternating between sides .
Once you have all the air out and good bite on the lever bleed the top banjo bolt as you would a nipple .

[8541Hawk]

Did you clean the pistons before you pushed them back into the caliper?

[Miztaziggy]

Ok then get yourself a big syringe and back fill them with the top banjo loosened off to let the air out .
Get as much fluid in as you can both sides this will make it a lot easier when bleeding them .
Once you have the lines full with fluid do the pump and release alternating between sides .
Once you have all the air out and good bite on the lever bleed the top banjo bolt as you would a nipple .

Ok, lovely, thanks. I understand all that, apart from why you bleed the top banjo bolt. Is it not tightened up before you bleed from the nipples on the calipers?

Did you clean the pistons before you pushed them back into the caliper?

I haven't pushed the pistons open yet. I took them off and have just left them until the new pads arrive. I will clean them up though and put some grease between them and the new pads.

[lloydie]

It should be tight while pumping and release stage .
Then if you leave it over night any air left in the system will rest in the top banjo at the master cylinder .
So after you let it rest pump and release the top banjo as you would a bleed nipple .

[Miztaziggy]

Right ok, thanks, ill give that a go.

[VTRDark]

I will clean them up though and put some grease between them and the new pads.

Don't use regular multigrease though. Just a smear of copper slip on the back of the pads.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the reservoir levels when bleeding or you will be back to square one if that drains fully.

(:-})

[Miztaziggy]

Don't forget to keep an eye on the reservoir levels when bleeding or you will be back to square one if that drains fully.

(:-})

Oh lol yeah, I did that last time, won't make that mistake again

[VTRDark]

I noticed in the other thread you have been in the garage. So how this going then, are you winning?

(:-})

[Miztaziggy]

Yeah think so mate. Split both calipers, removed the pistons, cleaned them, refitted all and just waiting till I can go buy some new fluid. Apparently the stuff I have had opened for a couple years will be off by now

I was wondering though, in the service manual it says to fit new bolts holding calipers on to forks each time. I refit the old ones. No idea why they would need new ones....

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

[AMCQ46]

Old ones will be fine, I just put a drop of loctite on when I reuse them

[VTRDark]

Apparently the stuff I have had opened for a couple years will be off by now

Yeh don't use old stuff that has been knocking around, it hygroscopic and absorbs moisture which turns it to sh1t. Makes sure you get the right fluid, DOT 4 or whatever. Check the cap on the master cylinder It will probably say on there which to use or check the manual.

(:-})